Jesus' rebuttal to the disciples
Worship
Lectionary Worship Workbook
Planning Ideas And Resources For The Entire Church Year
Pastoral Invitation to the Celebration
Try this:
In God's Name, which means, in God's Power, welcome. With what expectations did you come today? And how do you expect to live your life differently because you did come today?
(Perhaps two or three would be willing to respond on the spot.)
Follow with this litany between pastor and ministers:
Pastor:
The Lord is still risen!
Ministers: Hurray! What great things God does!
Pastor:
Yes, new life through the power of the resurrection.
Ministers: And renewed love for each other because God first loved us.
Pastor:
I invite us to celebrate in spirit and in truth, knowing that we are new persons, not because of how we feel, but because of what Christ has accomplished and is accomplishing. Share with each other the Good News.
The Act of Recognizing our Humanness and The Act of Receiving New Life
Suggestion:
Have you ever considered the harshness of today's lesson? Focus on Mark 9:38-41 for the confession. One of the sins of the church is no different from the sins of the disciples. One of our favorite sins is to squelch others. Someone offers an idea, or actually takes the initiative to do something, and often, our first response is "That's stupid, that'll never work, you can't do that." Such remarks contribute to the other person's death, death of his spirit. Give several moments of silence.
Then, have a soloist sing, "How Can People Be So Hard?" from the musical, "Hair." (More silence.)
For the assurance, have the adult choir present a musical version of Psalm 27, after you introduce its theme.
Message with the Children of All Ages
Consider this:
Did you know that the Bible wasn't written for children? And even adults take a long time understanding what it means. Today's passage is very difficult, especially for those who say they take it literally. I know of some people who took this section of Mark 9:42 literally. I know this is hard, but what do you think Jesus meant when he said, "... if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out ..."? Make certain that the children know that they are not to take this literally, but figuratively, as an act of obedience.
Proclamation of the Word
Consider this:
Think about how often we insist that people proclaim the gospel according to us. I remember when I first became a Christian, I could wave the Bible and quote the proper verses to prove my point, while others, I thought, simply weren't as committed as I. Great was my fall which gave me some new awareness. Thanks to my wife, I even learned some things through the televangelists; for she suggested that I look beyond the person to the message.
A few years ago, a couple of students at a well-known university took the second passage literally. They cut off a hand and plucked out an eye. Yet, most extreme literalists never take this literally. For an insight into this passage, see Robert Short's book, the Parables of Peanuts, page 114.
Stewardship Challenge
Consider this:
The stewardship of obedience. How's your obedience quotient today? We can say that we believe in Christ; however, we believe only what we obey. What is first in our lives - obedience to the Christ, or playing around at the edges of faith?
An amusing side to this question is found in a cartoon, in which two men are standing in their BVD's outside of the church sanctuary. One says to the other, "That was the best sermon on giving I've ever heard."
Charge to the Congregation
Consider this:
Have we become so mesmerized by our anything-goes society that we believe obedience isn't particularly necessary? Jesus offers some strong words in our text for today. Our behavior, our words do matter; they matter to the people who live with us; they matter in our relationships to one another in this congregation.
Be Christ's salt; be Christ's peace.
Planning for Your Congregation
Suggestions
Your Situation
I. Other Scriptures
Liturgist:
Psalm 27:7-14
Psalm 135:1-7, 13-14
Psalm 19:8, 10, 12-14
Job 42:1-6
Numbers 11:4-6, 10-16, 24-29
James 4:7-17--5:11
II. Suggested Hymns
Coordinator:
"All Creatures of Our God and King"
Francis of Assisi, 1225 Para. by William H. Draper (1855-1933)
"God Is Our Strong Salvation" from Psalm 27;
Para. by James Montgomery, 1822; alt., 1972
"The Spacious Firmament on High"
Joseph Addison, 1712
"O Lord of Every Shining Constellation"
Albert F. Bayly, 1950; alt., 1968
"Christ's Word to Us Is Like a Burning Fire"
Jane Parker Huber A Singing Faith, Jane Parker Huber, Westminster Press
III. Other Music Possibilities
Organist/Choir director:
Music for Preparation and Dismissal
Medley of Strong Pentecost Hymns
Response to the Scripture
"Blessed Is the Man" Jane Marshall
Response to the Stewardship Challenge
"O Man Bemoan Thy Grievous Sin" Bach
IV. Bulletin Cover
Church secretary:
V. Bulletin Symbols
VI. Miscellaneous Details (Assignments:)
Ushers
Candlelighters
Hosts/Hostesses
Banners
Flowers
Greeters
Posters
Name-tags
Others
Try this:
In God's Name, which means, in God's Power, welcome. With what expectations did you come today? And how do you expect to live your life differently because you did come today?
(Perhaps two or three would be willing to respond on the spot.)
Follow with this litany between pastor and ministers:
Pastor:
The Lord is still risen!
Ministers: Hurray! What great things God does!
Pastor:
Yes, new life through the power of the resurrection.
Ministers: And renewed love for each other because God first loved us.
Pastor:
I invite us to celebrate in spirit and in truth, knowing that we are new persons, not because of how we feel, but because of what Christ has accomplished and is accomplishing. Share with each other the Good News.
The Act of Recognizing our Humanness and The Act of Receiving New Life
Suggestion:
Have you ever considered the harshness of today's lesson? Focus on Mark 9:38-41 for the confession. One of the sins of the church is no different from the sins of the disciples. One of our favorite sins is to squelch others. Someone offers an idea, or actually takes the initiative to do something, and often, our first response is "That's stupid, that'll never work, you can't do that." Such remarks contribute to the other person's death, death of his spirit. Give several moments of silence.
Then, have a soloist sing, "How Can People Be So Hard?" from the musical, "Hair." (More silence.)
For the assurance, have the adult choir present a musical version of Psalm 27, after you introduce its theme.
Message with the Children of All Ages
Consider this:
Did you know that the Bible wasn't written for children? And even adults take a long time understanding what it means. Today's passage is very difficult, especially for those who say they take it literally. I know of some people who took this section of Mark 9:42 literally. I know this is hard, but what do you think Jesus meant when he said, "... if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out ..."? Make certain that the children know that they are not to take this literally, but figuratively, as an act of obedience.
Proclamation of the Word
Consider this:
Think about how often we insist that people proclaim the gospel according to us. I remember when I first became a Christian, I could wave the Bible and quote the proper verses to prove my point, while others, I thought, simply weren't as committed as I. Great was my fall which gave me some new awareness. Thanks to my wife, I even learned some things through the televangelists; for she suggested that I look beyond the person to the message.
A few years ago, a couple of students at a well-known university took the second passage literally. They cut off a hand and plucked out an eye. Yet, most extreme literalists never take this literally. For an insight into this passage, see Robert Short's book, the Parables of Peanuts, page 114.
Stewardship Challenge
Consider this:
The stewardship of obedience. How's your obedience quotient today? We can say that we believe in Christ; however, we believe only what we obey. What is first in our lives - obedience to the Christ, or playing around at the edges of faith?
An amusing side to this question is found in a cartoon, in which two men are standing in their BVD's outside of the church sanctuary. One says to the other, "That was the best sermon on giving I've ever heard."
Charge to the Congregation
Consider this:
Have we become so mesmerized by our anything-goes society that we believe obedience isn't particularly necessary? Jesus offers some strong words in our text for today. Our behavior, our words do matter; they matter to the people who live with us; they matter in our relationships to one another in this congregation.
Be Christ's salt; be Christ's peace.
Planning for Your Congregation
Suggestions
Your Situation
I. Other Scriptures
Liturgist:
Psalm 27:7-14
Psalm 135:1-7, 13-14
Psalm 19:8, 10, 12-14
Job 42:1-6
Numbers 11:4-6, 10-16, 24-29
James 4:7-17--5:11
II. Suggested Hymns
Coordinator:
"All Creatures of Our God and King"
Francis of Assisi, 1225 Para. by William H. Draper (1855-1933)
"God Is Our Strong Salvation" from Psalm 27;
Para. by James Montgomery, 1822; alt., 1972
"The Spacious Firmament on High"
Joseph Addison, 1712
"O Lord of Every Shining Constellation"
Albert F. Bayly, 1950; alt., 1968
"Christ's Word to Us Is Like a Burning Fire"
Jane Parker Huber A Singing Faith, Jane Parker Huber, Westminster Press
III. Other Music Possibilities
Organist/Choir director:
Music for Preparation and Dismissal
Medley of Strong Pentecost Hymns
Response to the Scripture
"Blessed Is the Man" Jane Marshall
Response to the Stewardship Challenge
"O Man Bemoan Thy Grievous Sin" Bach
IV. Bulletin Cover
Church secretary:
V. Bulletin Symbols
VI. Miscellaneous Details (Assignments:)
Ushers
Candlelighters
Hosts/Hostesses
Banners
Flowers
Greeters
Posters
Name-tags
Others
